Application of ethics to animal welfare
By virtue of their education and high level of public credibility, veterinarians are widely perceived as community caregivers with important contributions not only to animal well-being, but also to public health and mental heath. However, the profession has never resolved whether its primary responsibility is to the animal patient or the human client. As a […]
Science, Values and Animal Welfare: Exploring the ‘Inextricable Connection’
In conceptualizing animal welfare, it is useful to distinguish among three types of concepts. ‘Type 1’ are single, measurable attributes. ‘Type 2’ are single attributes that cannot be measured directly but can be estimated by correctly combining various contributing attributes. ‘Type 3′ are concepts involving multiple attributes which are grouped together because they serve some […]
The Anticipated Utility of Zoos for Developing Moral Concern in Children
This study asked why parents value zoo experiences for themselves and their children. It proposes a new theory regarding the psychological value of such experiences for the development of identity. The study used a constructivist grounded theory approach to explore parenting perspectives on the value of zoo visits undertaken by eight families from three adjacent […]
A scientific conception of animal welfare that reflects ethical concerns
Scientific research on ‘animal welfare’ began because of ethical concerns over the quality of life of animals, and the public looks to animal welfare research for guidance regarding these concerns. The conception of animal welfare used by scientists must relate closely to these ethical concerns if the orientation of the research and the interpretation of […]
Highlighting ethical decisions underlying the scoring of animal welfare in the Welfare Quality® scheme
All systems of scoring animal units (groups, farms, slaughter plants, etc) according to the level of the animals’ welfare are based inevitably on normative decisions. Similarly, all methods of labelling, in terms of acceptability, are based on choices reflecting ethical values. The evaluative dimension of scoring and labelling does not mean that we should reject […]
Attitudes of Canadian beef producers toward animal welfare
Commercial beef production in western Canada involves raising cows and calves on large tracts of grassland, plus grain-based ‘finishing’ of animals in outdoor feedlots. This study used open-ended, semi-structured interviews to explore views on animal welfare of 23 commercial beef producers in this system. Although wary of the term ‘animal welfare’, participants understood the concept […]
Rating harms to wildlife: a survey showing convergence between conservation and animal welfare views
Human activities may cause conservation concerns when animal populations or ecosystems are harmed and animal welfare concerns when individuals are harmed. In general, people are concerned with one or the other, as the concepts may be regarded as separate or even at odds. An online purposive survey of 339 British Columbians explored differences between groups […]
Closer to Nature? A Critical Discussion of the Marketing of “Ethical” Animal Products
As public awareness of environmental issues and animal welfare has risen, catering to public concerns and views on these issues has become a potentially profitable strategy for marketing a number of product types, of which animal products such as dairy and meat are obvious examples. Our analysis suggests that specific marketing instruments are used to […]
Determinants of Individual Attitudes Toward Animal Welfare-Friendly Food Products
Animal welfare involves societal and human values, ethical concerns and moral considerations since it incorporates the belief of what is right or what is wrong in animal treatment and care. This paper aims to ascertain whether the different dimensions of individual attitudes toward animal welfare in food choices may be characterized by general human values, […]